Title: Program Coordinator - Renaissance Center

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: Humanities & Fine Arts

Department: Dean - Humanities & Fine Arts

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary

The Program Coordinator for the Kinney Center for Interdisciplinary Renaissance Studies works with the Director and Librarian to manage and develop the Center’s research, educational, arts, and public facing programs.

Essential Functions

Identify, develop, and expand cross-institutional partnerships with educational and public art institutions by taking the lead on targeted outreach and program development. Meet with students, scholars, and administrators of other Renaissance Centers and scholarly programs.

Develop sustainable research partnerships with external Renaissance Centers.

Identify and research grant funding proposals on a regional and national level. Prepare, develop, and co-author, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of scholars, grant proposals and applications.

Steward designated financial resources of the Center toward mission goals.

Work collaboratively with Center staff, University Departments, and community organizations to identify and oversee the development of opportunities for new research networks, a wide range of educational opportunities, and public-facing arts projects that link the history, literature, and art of the Renaissance to modern times. Such projects include musical and theatrical performances; the expansion of the Renaissance of the Earth project across its educational, research, and public-facing agendas; development of new focus on questions of social and environmental justice; expanding undergraduate opportunities for interdisciplinary work-study.

Cultivate relationships with local artists, herbalists, farmers, and orchardists to expand and market the Renaissance of the Earth research project and Grounded Knowledge Workshops.

Design, implement, and publicize public-facing output (e.g. workshops, performances, arts, and rare book exhibitions, one day symposia on research themes) in consultation with faculty and graduate student research teams.

Organize an annual meeting of 5 College librarians and faculty to identify topics of interest for cross-institutional exhibits, develop question driven pathways through book exhibitions that connect to the learning objectives of 5 College course offerings. Work closely with special collections librarians to identify texts and material objects that can be used for educational purposes in workshop and classroom settings.

Develop an artist-in-residence program at the Kinney Center. Working closely with the Director, develop relationships with arts programs and centers on the east coast identifying opportunities for short-term and long-term artist in residence programs. This may include inviting musicians of historical music, actors, playwrights, directors, visual artists, and authors whose creative work draws upon or adapts questions from the Renaissance. Extend invitations to visual artists to produce gallery shows at Center, musicians to perform on the program’s outdoor stage, actors and dramaturgs to work together to develop new playscripts; as well as dance.

Work closely with invited guests to identify potential research and educational intersections between invitee and ongoing intellectual projects at center. Manage publicity for events via public posts, social media, and mailing lists. Coordinate room reservations, travel arrangements. Reserve appropriate University facilities for event use.

Create internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students across the 5 Colleges with an emphasis on the Renaissance of the Earth research project. In addition, identify internship opportunities for working with a rare book collection. Network with faculty across the 5 Colleges to identify students that will benefit the program. Expand the work-study offerings by developing new programming proposals for the Center.

Other Functions

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in early modern literature, history, or related field.

At least two years of arts administration experience.

Knowledge of subject areas specific to the research mission of the Center including the history, culture, arts, and languages of the global Renaissance

Successful grant writing experience and knowledge of funding opportunities and strategies.

Familiarity with rare books and manuscripts and ability to read the roman, italic, and gothic typefaces that are most common in Renaissance print materials.

Ability to work collaboratively and foster an inclusive team environment, leveraging diverse perspectives from a wide variety of internal and external groups.

Experience advising executive staff on strategic matters.

Ability to take initiative, work independently, multi-task and meet deadlines.

Experience managing complex, highly visible projects.

Impeccable writing, editing, research, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Typical office work environment.

Additional Details

Direct supervision received from the Kinney Center Director.

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in an indoor university environment and involves lifting and transporting materials or equipment and general physical activity, including prolonged standing, walking, or assuming low postures.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends for pre-scheduled events.

Salary Information

PSSAP Grade 25

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Special Instructions for Applicants

We invite candidates to submit the following materials for consideration:

1. Resume or a current CV highlighting your scholarly, professional, administrative, and leadership experience.

2. Cover Letter - Please describe your interest in the position and your relevant qualifications and experience. Candidates are encouraged to highlight relevant experience with grant writing, external funding, partnership development, public programming, student mentorship, and rare books. Candidates may also consider how an initiative they might propose could advance the Center’s mission; build upon or extend existing programs, such as Renaissance of the Earth; and engage students, scholars, artists, community partners, and the broader public.

3. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.